The two lead actors of indie film “Mulat” were surprised to learn that their first day was to be marked by a love scene.

“I knew Jake from a distance, but haven’t really known him well at the time. So, para naman may warm-up kami, I asked him that. ’Yun nga, payakap naman.”

The remark sort of broke the ice between Jake and Loren, a start-up actress who came home to Manila from California where she was formerly based with her family.

Landing the female lead, a confused, multi-faceted character in the film, can be considered a landmark in her career, Loren says. On the side, she mentioned that she’s doing another film at the moment, “The Unmarried Wife” for Star Cinema.

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INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION: “Mulat” (Awaken) has garnered critical acclaim internationally. Its debuting director, Diane Ventura, bagged the Best Director award for Global Feature, while Jake Cuenca took home Best Actor trophy at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2015.

“Mulat” also won Best Narrative Feature at the World Cinema Festival in Brazil, where Cuenca once again won as Best Actor.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER: The story in brief: Sam (Loren Burgos) is engaged to be married to Vince (Ryan Eigenmann), who shows his disdain for marriage.

Then along comes Jake, supposedly the knight in shining armor, who stirs up furthermore Sam’s troubled mental state.

“Mulat” will have a bonus opening feature, the short film “The Rapist” (also directed by Diane Ventura) and starring Cherie Gil.

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JAKE THE PRODUCER: At the media conference, Jake spoke intensely about his passion for acting. He said he would take another acting course in the US, this time under Ivana Chubbuck.

He also announced that he’ll be co-producing a film for Cinemalaya 2017, “Requited,” where he will play the male lead.

He also reiterated his desire to act in more out of the box projects, such as this one in “Mulat.”
(NESTOR CUARTERO)